Systems and methods for storing and retrieving data items in multidimensional databases are provided. Data partition templates are generated for grouping data partitions that are similar to one another, that is, that contain information specified according to particular common characteristics (for instance, time, product, geography, etc.). The data partition template includes one or more rules concerning how the data stored in partitions associated with the data partition template should be processed. A template object having the rule(s) associated therewith is generated for the data partition template. Once a data partition template is generated, a plurality of partitions are generated in accordance therewith. Each of the plurality of partitions utilizes the template object associated with the data partition template. In this way, the overhead associated with managing the partitions is significantly decreased.